President Muizzu Hails Full Ministry Compliance With Right to Information Act

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has declared that transparency is a cornerstone of democratic governance, asserting that the disclosure of information is essential for maintaining public trust. The President's remarks follow a landmark announcement from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICOM), revealing that for the first time since the Right to Information (RTI) Act was enacted, all government ministries have proactively disclosed legally required information to the public. In a social media post, President Muizzu described the achievement as a significant milestone. He noted that in the 12 years since the RTI Act became law, the President’s Office and all ministries have now published vast amounts of data that were previously unavailable, removing the need for citizens to file individual information requests to access basic government data. The President emphasized that the government's approach goes beyond mere regulatory compliance. He stated that information sharing is viewed as a core principle for reinforcing democratic processes and strengthening institutional accountability. By moving toward a system where information is readily accessible, the administration aims to foster a culture of openness rather than one limited by bureaucratic formalities. President Muizzu commended the staff and institutions whose efforts led to this milestone, reaffirming a commitment to utilizing digital systems to ensure information remains accessible. This digital transition is intended to encourage greater public participation in government decision-making processes. Under Section 37 of the Right to Information Act, state institutions are legally mandated to proactively disclose 13 specific categories of information. The law further requires that such disclosures be made at least once a year, or more frequently if necessary, and stipulates that information should be released in the public interest, even if it falls outside the primary 13 categories. This development marks a shift in how the Maldivian state interacts with its citizens, transitioning from a reactive model of information sharing to a proactive one, potentially reducing the administrative burden on both the state and the public while increasing government transparency.